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Biomedical microanalysis--putting it to work now in diagnostic pathology
Scanning Electron Microscopy
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Microanalysis in human pathology is diagnostically valuable, particularly for identifying the cause of disease (etiologic diagnosis). Scanning electron microscopy with backscattered electron imaging and X-ray microanalysis of thick tissue sections is an efficient diagnostic procedure.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Microanalysis has evolved significantly over seven years, demonstrating its diagnostic utility in human pathology.
- Pathologists analyze both biological tissues and material samples for diagnostic purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the diagnostic value of current microanalytic instrumentation and methodology in pathology.
- To highlight the role of microanalysis in determining the cause of disease (etiologic diagnosis), including preventive and forensic aspects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with backscattered electron (BSE) imaging for compositional contrast.
- Analyzed 454 specimens over four years (1976-1979).
- Employed X-ray microanalysis on 5 micrometer thick tissue sections.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated microanalysis's effectiveness in identifying toxic dust in lungs and particulate materials in various organs.
- Illustrated challenges such as specimen contamination and discussed the impact of magnification and section thickness on analysis.
- Highlighted the use of fresh frozen, cryo-sectioned tissue for analyzing soluble materials.
Conclusions:
- Currently available microanalytic tools are highly useful for diagnostic purposes in pathology.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with backscattered electron (BSE) imaging and X-ray microanalysis of 5 micrometer thick tissue sections represents the most efficient diagnostic procedure.